I Corinthians 12:12-31

 I Corinthians 12:12-31

It is worth remembering that the fractured nature of the Corinthian church had damaged and infected almost all, if not all, aspect of the church’s life.  The pride and egoism was manifested in the use and abuse of their spiritual giftedness.  Paul here continues his war against division but this time on the battlefront of spiritual gifts.

It is impossible for the one and only Holy Spirit to give gifts that create division even if these gifts differ from each other.  The commonality and singleness of the Spirit who gives the gifts makes their fractious use a monstrosity.    In fact the giving of diverse gifts is a specific and intentional act of God to fulfill His agenda.  To denigrate a brother or sister because of their role or gift is to question the wisdom of God and indeed to bring an accusation against Him.  It appears that this never occurred to the Corinthians because they were so obsessed with themselves they could perceive no one else.  

God designed into His giving of gifts an essential interdependence.  Paul uses the parable or the metaphor of the human body to illustrate this point.  In the body those parts that gain lots of attention are no more important than those parts we never notice.  We may say, “She has a lovely face”, but never, “She has a lovely colon”.  But without the latter the former is doomed.  It is immensely important to note that in v 24 we see, “God has so composed the body…” Functionally, emotional and spiritual unity is God ordained and engineered.  If there are divisions and schisms it is no small thing.

At a practical level Paul shows us in verses 25-26, at least in a beginning sort of way, how we can participate in this unity.  When one member suffers we all share in that suffering.  That means the suffering inflicted by my self serving arrogance ought to cause me as much anguish as it causes others.  If that were actually the case I would stop.  We take this as a vague generality, but we need to take this as a vivid personal experience.  We also rejoice authentically when others are glorified or honored.  Not in feigned support but in authentic joy.  But how is it possible to wrap our minds around this way of relating?  Recognize that gifts are not expressions of the individual person, but of God’s goodness shown toward me.  God has given you gifts because He loves and wants to bless me. I can’t be jealous of that.  

“Lord, help me to use all You have given to me in service to the church, and never for my own advancement. AMEN”

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

There doesn't seem to be anything that the Corinthians can’t twist, distort, and corrupt by means of their divisive spirit, pride, and selfish agendas. In this case it is a matter of spiritual gifts. For the next several chapters, Paul is going to attempt to set right this deep confusion, or willful evil, that grows out of the spiritual immaturity occasioned by the use and abuse of the gifts God had given. One wonders how God feels when the gifts He gives us are used to hurt our brothers and sisters in Christ. We give our children a gift or a tool that they can use profitably, such as a knife or an axe, and they use it to abuse their siblings. How would we feel? That is what has happened at Corinth.

Thousands of volumes have been written about the charismatic gifts, so rather than look at those issues, let's look in a different direction. Paul begins by saying, I do not want you “unaware”. The word unaware gives us the English word agnostic"; literally, it means without knowledge. It is entirely possible for Christians to live as practical agnostics, neither knowing nor caring about the truth of the Gospel and Christian doctrine. Simple and trusting faith is not the same as ignorance. As we grow in knowledge, we should grow in our faith and also in our worship of God.

Paul contrasts the value of knowing with the life of paganism. The powers of darkness lead people, as noted in verse 2. But the language here is the language of being led to execution or being condemned. The life of those outside of Christ, rather than one of libertarian freedom, is a steady march to deeper and deeper darkness, slavery, and destruction. Christians at Corinth were apparently being led by the powers of darkness toward the same doom.

Why does Paul bring this up? Because the combination of ignorance and arrogance has allowed dark powers to lead them away. So much so that some were saying, “Jesus is accursed,” and apparently claiming this was a spiritual manifestation. Very likely it was a spirit speaking, but it was clearly not the Holy Spirit. The Corinthians were apparently too ignorant to oppose this wickedness and were more concerned with how to display their gifts in order to hold the spotlight. Arrogance and ignorance is a deadly combination.

Paul is about to point out a key principle in reference to spiritual gifts that has universal application. That which glorifies Christ, unites and builds up the body, and prompts the disciple to more completely die to self is the work of the Holy Spirit. But the Corinthians, in a great many churches today, the good gifts given for the benefit of the church have been prostituted to the end that Christ is dishonored, the church divided and wounded, and individuals are becoming proud and self-serving. Any subject matter that fails to do the former and accomplishes the latter is not being handled correctly. If Christ is not glorified in word and life, something is wrong.

“Lord, help all my life be about bringing You honor and building up Your body, the Church. AMEN”